Matthew Le Tissier's magical number seven shirt is still not filled after Saints released their squad numbers for the coming season.

Last year the Saints legend's shirt number was taken by Andrei Kanchelskis but his spell at St Mary's was unsuccessful and since then it has not been taken.

The only changes from last year are Darren Kenton taking Federico Arias' number 22 and youngster Arron Davies being handed the number 23.

Kevin Davies' number 10 is also vacant.

Squad numbers 2003-04

Paul Jones 2 Jason Dodd 3 Wayne Bridge 4 Chris Marsden 5 Claus Lundekvam 6 Paul Williams 8 Matthew Oakley 9 James Beattie 11 Michael Svensson 12 Anders Svensson 14 Antti Niemi 15 Francis Benali 16 Mark Draper 17 Marian Pahars 18 Rory Delap 19 Danny Higginbotham 20 David Prutton 21 Jo Tessem 22 Darren Kenton 23 Arron Davies 25 Garry Monk 28 Alan Blayney 29 Fabrice Fernandes 32 Chris Baird 33 Paul Telfer 34 Agustin Delgado 36 Brett Ormerod.

Saints keeper Antti Niemi should be fit for the start of the season.

The Finnish international keeper underwent knee surgery during the summer but, as reported in the final edition of yesterday's Echo, the club are confident he will face Leicester on August 16.

Niemi's operation went to plan and he is recovering well while Jason Dodd, Marian Pahars and Rory Delap are regaining fitness quickly after their injury lay-offs.

Saints pair Matt Christensen and Andrew McNeil have received international call-ups for their respective under-17 sides.

Christensen will represent Australia in the World Championships in Finland while McNeil will play for Scotland in the Nordic Cup at the end of this month in Oslo.

FIFA have raised the prospect of a revolution in the Premier League by announcing proposals to limit the number of clubs in domestic leagues to 16 teams.

The move was revealed by FIFA president Sepp Blatter and the proposals will be discussed at the world governing body's congress in October.